Shenmue Promotions Announced for Japan

Every big release needs its share of promotions, right? Shenmue is no different.

By IGN Staff

Japanese Rental chain Tsuyata has announced its special promotional plans for Sega's upcoming release of Shenmue.

From mid December to January 31, gamers will be able to rent a Dreamcast and a What's Shenmue demo disk for eight days and seven nights, free of charge. The catch is that in order to make the rental, you'll have to be a member of Tsuyata's rental club. Also available as a free rental during the period for members will be a video entitled The Unknown World of Shenmue. We're currently not sure if this is an original video production, or if it's just the What's Shenmue video which is currently available for download in its entirety in our Shenmue preview.

Tsuyata also has a promotions planned for the actual sale of the game. The first 12,000 people who reserve the title will receive a special Shenmue bandana. In addition, one hundred Shenmue Cinema Bookmarks will be handed out in a drawing.

These promotions apply to Japan only. Expect Sega of America and retailers across the US to have their own set of promotional plans when the game hits US shores next year.